The University of Iowa is a groundbreaking institution. In 1855 — before the American Civil War — it enacted a policy of admitting male and female students on an equal basis, the first public university in the United States to do so. And this university is still a positive force for change, in many cases well beyond Iowa City. From its first-class creative writing program to its international engineering efforts, the Hawkeyes are affecting the world in many powerful ways. Here are a few of our favorite LiveBIG stories that show how Iowa enables education, innovation and altruism: Iowa organization

For the first time since 1984, the Big Ten will play nine conference games. Schools will play the other six teams in their division … and three from the opposite division. And, schedule strengths can vary a great deal based on which schools a team does not have to play from the other division.

Week 5 brings us the first full-blow Saturday of all Big Ten games, as all 14 teams are in action headlined by a big intra-division tilt with Wisconsin at Michigan. Nebraska will have revenge on its mind when Illinois comes to town. Last year in Champaign, the Huskers suffered an epic meltdown in a 14-13 loss. The Fighting Illini moved 72 yards in 41 seconds, scoring with 10 seconds to play on a 1-yard TD grab by Geronimo Allison. Illinois trailed 13-0 before scoring with 13:21 to play. Nebraska squandered chances, the last when it elected to throw on third

This week's Jim Harbaugh-Nick Saban flareup leads our writer to ask one of his favorite questions: What about a college football commissioner? Also in today's news digest: An assessment of the Iowa QB situation, an update from Michigan State's Mark Dantonio on his junior class, and Nebraska's Mike Riley make a fascinating move to educate his players on sexual assault.

Michigan senior Sierra Romero has another award to add to her impressive resume: USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Romero was honored with the award Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. She became the first national player of the year in program history. The Wolverines’ star second baseman is batting .465 with 72 hits, 19 home runs, 78 RBIs and 74 runs scored in 56 games this season. Romero beat out Auburn’s Kasey Cooper and Florida’s Aleshia Ocasio for the award. Now, she will look to add one more final piece to her storied career: national champion. Romero and the

MINNESOTA ATHLETICS — University of Minnesota forward Charles Buggs, who completed his degree requirements and graduated earlier this month, has chosen to continue his playing career elsewhere, head coach Richard Pitino announced. Buggs will have one year of eligibility remaining as he pursues a graduate degree. “It has been a pleasure to coach Charles over the past three years and see his continued development and growth as a basketball player and a person,” Pitino said. “Charles has always represented the University with class and I am especially proud of him graduating. He has a bright future in basketball and life